Darnell McDonald | Outfielder

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Darnell McDonald has joined the Cubs' front office as a baseball operations assistant.

McDonald officially announced his retirement on April 6 after batting .250/.314/.397 over parts of seven major league seasons. The 35-year-old was hired to his new role Tuesday by Cubs president Theo Epstein. Tue, Apr 15, 2014 04:08:00 PM

McDonald made the announcement Saturday on his Instagram account. The 35-year-old never got an extended look as a regular but carved out a nice career for himself, batting .250/.314/.397 over parts of seven major league seasons with six different teams. Sun, Apr 6, 2014 12:42:00 PM

Cubs re-signed OF Darnell McDonald to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

McDonald was outrighted off the Cubs' 40-man roster in early October, but the two sides maintained mutual interest and were able to work out a non-guaranteed deal for 2014. McDonald, 35, batted .302/.351/.434 in 57 plate appearances this past season for Chicago. He's a .250/.314/.397 career hitter in the major leagues. Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:59:00 AM

Depth Charts

Cubs placed C Willson Contreras on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

He's expected to be sidelined for the next 4-to-6 weeks with the injury, but the Cubs remain optimistic that he'll return to see meaningful action in September. Alex Avila will handle the bulk of the catching for the Cubs while Victor Caratini has been recalled from Triple-A to add depth behind the plate.

Addison Russell (foot) jogged on the field and hit in the batting cages on Tuesday.

"I'm feeling a little bit better," Russell said after the light workout. "I'm trying to take this slow. I don't want any setbacks." The young shortstop has acknowledged that he is experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis in his right foot and there is currently no timetable for his return to the Cubs' active roster. Russell landed on the disabled list August 4.

This comes after Lester exited Thursday's start with lat tightness. The left-hander was blown up for nine runs in that start and didn't throw with his usual velocity. The Cubs aren't expected to update Lester's status until Friday at the earliest, though it's a near certainty that he'll be placed on the disabled list. Mike Montgomery, who logged 4 1/3 innings out of the bullpen on Thursday, is an obvious candidate to replace Lester in the starting rotation.

It was his first pen session since landing on the disabled list last week and he'll throw another one on Saturday. The 42-year-old has delivered a 3.55 ERA over 43 relief outings in his first year with Chicago.